PAPER AIRPLANE DISTANCE

Problem Scenario

To make sure that our results are always the same, I will use an electric plane launcher.

Will the paper thickness due to folding paper airplanes effect the functioning of the electric plane launcher?

Broad Question

Does different paper affect distance of the paper airplane?

Specific Question

Does the mass of paper used to a paper airplane affect the distance the of the plane travels?

Hypothesis

I hypothesis that oak tag paper will go the farther than all of the other paper.

Graph of Hypothesis

Variables

Independent Variable:

construction paper,printer paper,oak tag,newspaper

Dependent Variable:

distance

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

launcher

Vocabulary List That Needs Explanation

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General Plan

Make paper airplanes. Launch them with the launcher. Measure the distance the paper airplane travels.

Potential Problems And Solutions

Human mistakes like hand throwing distance to replace that with paper airplane launcher.

Safety Or Environmental Concerns

Recycle paper airplanes.

Resources and Budget Table

Item	Number needed	Where I will get this	Cost
Electric plane launcher	1	Amazon.com	$12.50
Computer paper	2	School	$0.00
Newsprint paper	2	School	$0.00
Construction paper	2	School	$0.00
Oak tag	2	School	$0.00
AA Duracell Batteries	2	Hannaford	$4.99

Detailed Procedure

1. I put together the electric plane launcher following directions.
2. I chose 4 types of paper: computer papers, construction paper, and newspaper print.
3. I downloaded paper airplane templates and made several test models.
4. I tested different models until I found that the Dart had the greatest distance.
5. I made 4 Dart paper airplanes using the various types of paper.
6. I taped the tape measure to the floor and measured 50 cm on each side to create a flight path.
7. I performed 5 trials on each paper airplane model.
8. I recorded flight distance on my table.

Diagram

Photo List

Time Line

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Data Table

Trial	Computer Paper	Oak Tag	News Print	Construction Paper
1	0.99 m	3.74 m	5.48 m	3.4 m
2	3.76 m	4.75 m	5.54 m	7.32 m
3	6.11 m	4.15 m	6.45 m	9.11 m
4	6.35 m	3.10 m	4.28 m	1.55 m
5	3.70 m	4.2 m	3.65 m	8.25 m

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Data Analysis

All Raw Data

Graphs

Photos

Results

During this experiment I measured the flight distance of paper airplanes using different types of paper. I chose a Dart design template because this design had the greatest flight distance and was very stable. After five trials, the construction paper design model went the farthest, 9.11 meters.

Conclusion

My hypothesis was that the computer paper would go the farthest. Based on my data, I disagree with my hypothesis because the construction paper model went the farthest.

Discussion

Benefit to Community and/or Science

For anyone who is a paper airplane enthusiast, this experiment will provide useful information regarding paper types and flight distance.

Background Research

References

Abstract:

Paper airplanes can be made from many different types of paper. Once you decide on a plane design, the type of paper you use to construct your airplane can effect the flight distance.